Holiday Pops Features World Premiere of Polar Express Suite

Nov 16, 2004

For Immediate Release

Contact: Annie Matlow 509-326-3136

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HOLIDAY POPS FEATURES WORLD PREMIERE OF POLAR EXPRESS SUITE

SPOKANE —The Spokane Symphony's Holiday Pops will feature the world premiere of Polar Express Suite by Alan Silvestri on Saturday, Dec. 18 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 19 at 2 p.m. in the Spokane Opera House. Spokane Symphony listeners will be the first to hear the orchestral suite of music from the holiday blockbuster movie starring Tom Hanks.

The Polar Express Suite is a short compilation of the best of the music from the movie written by Silvestri, who also wrote the music for Forrest Gump, Castaway, Back to the Future, Romancing the Stone and many more.

Music Director Eckart Preu will bring his dramatic touch to the concert featuring the Spokane Symphony Chorale and the Spokane Area Children's Chorus. This is Preu's first Christmas with the Spokane Symphony and he has programmed holiday music from his native Germany as well as other traditional selections to create an exciting as well as nostalgic experience for everyone.

The Spokane Symphony Chorale, directed by Lori Wiest, was established in 1955 as a volunteer organization and features more than 100 singers. The Chorale will sing Stille Nacht, Let It Snow, Let It Snow as well as Quempas, a 14th Century German song traditionally sung from the four corners of the church, with the children's chorus and an organ.

Spokane Area Children's Chorus, directed by Kristina Ploeger, was founded in 1987 and consists of treble singers from the greater Spokane area between the ages of 7 and 17. The Children's Chorus will also sing The First Christmas of All, and Kling Gloeckchen Kling Both groups will lead in the popular holiday sing-along.

Ticket prices range from $17 to $38 for the Saturday evening performance.

Special family friendly prices are available for the Sunday matinee -- $16 to $25, $10 for children. A movie ticket stub from a Polar Express will give $1 off all tickets to the matinee.

Tickets are available Monday through Friday from 9:30-5 p.m. at the Spokane Symphony Ticket Office at 818 W. Riverside, Suite 100 or by calling (509) 624-1200 or at www.spokanesymphony.org. Tickets are also available on weekends and evenings, with a service charge, through TicketsWest at 325-SEAT or 1-800-325-SEAT.
This concert is underwritten by Don Herak and Family in honor of Toni Marie Robideaux and Gonzaga University.

CALENDAR LISTING:
The Spokane Symphony's Holiday Pops Concert featuring the world premiere of the Polar Express Suite conducted by Eckart Preu; Sat. Dec 18 at 8 p.m. and Sun. Dec. 19 at 2 p.m. in the Spokane Opera House. Tickets are $17 to $38 for the Saturday evening performance and $16 to $25, $10 for children, for the Sunday matinee. Call the Spokane Symphony Ticket Office at (509) 624-1200 or www.spokanesymphony.org; tickets are also available, with service charges, through TicketsWest at 325-SEAT or 1-800-325-SEAT.